Featured STACKlete: Reagan Rogers

Raised in a small Texas town (population 1,793), Reagan Rogers grew up admiring high school athletes whose work ethic and perseverance earned them college scholarships. Now a senior two-sport star at Blanco High School, Rogers has earned one herselfâshe has committed to play volleyball at Division I Northwestern State University. Rogers secured her scholarship with great play on the court and hard work in the classroom (she holds a 3.95 GPA). She spoke with STACK about her decision to attend NSU and what she wants to accomplish before she leaves Blanco.

STACK: What was your recruiting process like?

ROGERS: The process really started in my sophomore year, and it definitely kept me busy. I enjoyed visiting different campuses, but when I went to Northwestern State University, I loved the family atmosphere. The coaches brought their kids to practice, and the school's athletic director knew something about each of the players. I knew I was in the right place.

Raised in a small Texas town (population 1,793), Reagan Rogers grew up admiring high school athletes whose work ethic and perseverance earned them college scholarships. Now a senior two-sport star at Blanco High School, Rogers has earned one herself—she has committed to play volleyball at Division I Northwestern State University. Rogers secured her scholarship with great play on the court and hard work in the classroom (she holds a 3.95 GPA). She spoke with STACK about her decision to attend NSU and what she wants to accomplish before she leaves Blanco.

STACK: What was your recruiting process like?

ROGERS: The process really started in my sophomore year, and it definitely kept me busy. I enjoyed visiting different campuses, but when I went to Northwestern State University, I loved the family atmosphere. The coaches brought their kids to practice, and the school's athletic director knew something about each of the players. I knew I was in the right place.

What are your goals for your senior season?

We have nine seniors on our team, and our number one goal is to get to the state volleyball tournament. We've played together since 7th grade, and we all want our last season together to be the best yet. I'm trying to set a good example by working hard, encouraging my teammates, and letting them know how important they are to our success.

How have you grown as an athlete?

I began working out during the spring of freshman year, and I learned that regular workouts weren't going to get my level of play to where I wanted to be. A club coach stressed the importance of adding sport-specific exercises, and it truly changed me.

What are some of your favorite exercises?

I love working on the Vertimax, especially for volleyball drills. I work on my attack and approach while hooked up to it. Another one I like is Squats on a BOSU Ball, which improved my balance and my ankle strength.

How has your nutrition evolved during high school?

In my sophomore year I realized that I had to eat better if I wanted to see better results on the court. I began to understand the importance of adding more protein to my diet, as well as fruits and vegetables. Post-workout recovery nutrition is something I've started focusing on recently. I try to drink chocolate milk within 15 minutes after every workout.

Who were the athletes you looked up to growing up?

I didn't look up to world-famous athletes; I grew up watching athletes in my own town, who showed me that in order to achieve something big you have to be willing to work for it and put in the hours. While other kids were hanging out and doing something more fun, they were running bleachers at the stadium. Those athletes helped me understand what it takes to succeed.

Learn and Apply

Rogers said that the hardest part of getting her name circulating in recruiting circles was contacting coaches. She says, "It was scary making that first phone call to a coach, but after I did, everyone was easy to talk to." Remember: recruiting is as much about you reaching out to coaches as coaches reaching out to you. Although it might be a bit nerve-wracking to pick up the phone and dial coaches, the relationships you form will be among the most rewarding aspects of the recruiting process—and they will ultimately help you make the right choice.